1. Israeli and U.S. Officials Sign Security Agreement U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano signed an agreement with Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman that will allow Americans to breeze through Israeli airport security and allow Israelis to do the same at U.S. airports, The Jerusalem Post reported. Rather than stand in line to be checked by U.S. border officials, Israeli participants will pay a $100 fee and will simply have to swipe a finger through a biometric identification machine upon arrival at an American airport. Israel is setting up a special border control line for American travelers at Ben Gurion Airport.Read more...

2. Napolitano Looks to Israel for Cyber Security Input Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano sought advice for combatting cyber terrorism during a recent trip to Israel, The Jerusalem Post reported. Napolitano told Israeli President Shimon Peres that learning about Israel’s model for combatting cyber terrorism was one of the most important aspects of her visit. Napolitano noted that the U.S. relationship with Israel is “strong and robust.” Her office frequently interacts with different Israeli ministries and she cited multiple opportunities for cooperation. Read more...

3. Israel Hosts Security Technology ConferencesIsrael hosted two major homeland security conferences this month, JTA reported. More than 100 senior law enforcement officers from 49 countries visited Tel Aviv as part of this year’s Interpol European Regional Conference. Thirty-seven mayors from 24 cities also toured Israel to learn about its security techniques. Alfred Vanderpuije, mayor of Ghana’s capital city of Accra, noted that he was “very impressed with what I saw and am even thinking about bringing some of these ideas back to Ghana.” Otto Perez, mayor of Mixco, Guatemala, reported that his city is already implementing security cameras and technologies developed in Israel.Read more...

4. Condoleezza Rice: Israel Taught U.S. about Homeland SecurityFormer U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the security relationship between the U.S. and Israel grew stronger in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, The Times of Israel reported. Rice, speaking during a recent trip to Israel, explained that while the two nations were always good friends, they became allies “with a common cause in the fight against people who would seek political gain by attacking civilians, parents, and children.”Read more...

5. U.S. Security Company Offers Training in Israel Chameleon Associates, a U.S. security company, is offering a revolutionary training opportunity this November in Israel, the company announced. Participants will learn about the practical application and methodology of threat-oriented security. Amotz Brandes, managing partner, explains that security officials in the U.S. “don’t have direct access to a threat-based method, let alone the kind of experience that’s available in Israel.”Read more...

AIPAC's Homeland Security Monitor is a monthly summary of key articles highlighting the cooperative homeland security programs central to the strong and mutually beneficial strategic relationship between the United States and Israel. For more information on these issues, please write to homelandsecurity@aipac.org.